Okay, folks, let’s talk about my little indoor tanning experiment. I’ve always been after that perfect sun-kissed look, but who has the time to lay out in the sun all day? Not me! So, I decided to give indoor tanning a shot and, of course, document the whole shebang.
Getting Started
First off, I did a bit of research on how often to use a tanning bed. Most places I checked out said to start with about three sessions a week until you get the tan you want, and then cut back to two sessions a week to keep it up. The FDA says you shouldn’t do more than one session in a day, so I made sure to stick to that. No point in overdoing it, right?
Finding the Right Lotion
Next up was finding the right tanning lotion. This was a whole other world! I read a bunch of reviews and ended up choosing “Coconut Kisses” by Ed Hardy, which was highly recommended. It smelled amazing and was perfect for all skin types, so I figured, why not? I grabbed a 13.5 oz bottle, ready to give it a whirl.
Leveling Up
Now, about those tanning beds. I started with Level 1, which is the basic one, but I quickly moved up. I learned that Level 3 beds have these medium-pressure lamps that use less of those harsh UVB rays and more of the UVA rays. That means you get a tan faster and it goes deeper. Sounded good to me! Eventually, I even tried Level 4, which is super fast. It’s almost all UVA, so you tan really quick without much of the burning UVB stuff.
Giving it a Try
- Session 1-3: Started with Level 1 just to see how my skin would react. Used the Coconut Kisses lotion – it was super smooth and smelled like a tropical vacation. No immediate results, but my skin felt nice and moisturized.
- Session 4-6: Bumped up to Level 3. Still using Coconut Kisses. I could start to see a little color developing, which was exciting.
- Session 7-9: Decided to try Level 4 out of curiosity. The tan developed super fast! I made sure not to stay in too long, though. I also started using “Maui Babe Tanning Salon Formula” after hearing some cool stories about it. It was a different vibe than Coconut Kisses, a little more intense, but it worked like a charm.
- Session 10-12: Maintained my tan with a couple of Level 3 sessions each week. Alternated between Coconut Kisses and Maui Babe, just to keep things interesting. My skin was looking golden brown and I was feeling pretty good about it.
Keeping it Up
Once I got the tan I wanted, I scaled back to two sessions a week. I learned that it’s all about maintenance at this point. I stuck with Level 3 because it gave me that nice balance of a quick tan without overexposure. Plus, using a good lotion made a huge difference in keeping my skin hydrated and the tan looking fresh.
So, there you have it, my indoor tanning adventure. It was a fun experiment, and I’m pretty happy with the results. Just remember to do your research, start slow, and always listen to your skin. Happy tanning, everyone!
